Energy Efficiency
No time to retreat on energy efficiency: Part 2
Last week, part 1 of this post focused on the Northwest’s impending shortfall in meeting 7th Power Plan goals for energy efficiency as well as plans by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to cut funding for energy efficiency efforts by 10% in 2020 and 2021. That news comes against the backdrop of efforts by the Trump…
Read MoreNo time to retreat on energy efficiency: Part 1
This week, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council staff updated Council members on regional energy efficiency savings and savings projections relative to the goals contained in the 7th Power Plan. The good news is that the region beat the 2-year milestone in the plan. The bad news is that the region is on a path…
Read MorePitch in to pass I-1631 in Washington
Initiative 1631 promotes clean energy, jobs, and healthy communities in Washington by charging polluters a fee whose proceeds will be invested in renewable resources, forest and water protection, and helping communities. A free and easy way to help make sure I-1631 passes is to share posts through your social media accounts. Facebook Go here to follow Yes…
Read MoreIs Natural Gas-fired electricity being overtaken?
Nationally, the leading energy story for much of the past few years has been the decline of coal-fired electricity in the face of low-priced natural gas. But, once the predator, natural gas is increasingly becoming the prey. The new predator? Renewable energy. The latest example of renewables elbowing out natural gas is found in the most…
Read MoreNW Senators rise to save ENERGY STAR program
There aren’t many federal programs that are as unequivocally successful or as cost-effective as ENERGY STAR. The ENERGY STAR seal, which is awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency to energy efficient products and appliances, helps consumers and businesses save tens of billions of dollars annually on their electric bills. However, the Trump administration wants to…
Read MoreBudget bill a pleasant surprise for clean energy and the environment
To the relief of energy and environmental advocates, the U.S. House and Senate have come to an agreement on an omnibus spending bill that will preserve and, in some cases, increase funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs many of which were targeted for cuts in the Trump administration’s proposed budget. Examples include: ·…
Read MoreWashington Legislature Wrap-up
Passion and Paralysis on Climate Action In Washington, standards for energy efficiency and the share of power utilities must acquire from renewable resources have been in place for eleven years – a period during which great progress has been made in reducing carbon emissions and the state’s clean energy economy has blossomed. But, the renewable…
Read MoreEnergy Efficiency bills advance in Oregon and Washington
With so much focus on the plunging cost of solar power, wind power, and now storage as well, it’s sometimes hard to remember that energy efficiency is still our most const-effective and production alternative energy resource, accounting for nearly 40% of all the carbon emission reductions we’ve achieved in the last decade. That’s why it’s…
Read MoreClean utilities and carbon pricing bills advance in Washington legislature
Yesterday HB 2402 the Washington Clean Utilities Act and SB 6203, Governor Jay Inslee’s carbon pricing bill, were passed out of their respective House and Senate committees. The passage of these bills out of committee is a necessary step toward achieving two important policy goals: Continuing to clean up our electric system by advancing renewable…
Read MoreNW Energy Coalition welcomes BPA 2018-23 Strategic Plan
Yesterday, the Bonneville Power Administration released its 2018-2023 Strategic Plan that lays out the agency’s goals as it works to adapt to an increasingly complex and competitive electricity market. The NW Energy Coalition congratulates BPA for establishing four important overarching goals in the new 5-year plan. They are: Strengthening financial health Modernizing system assets and…
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